Holy Runaways with Matthias Roberts

Reclaiming the Garden

#Religion #April Little and Anna Dawahare #Anna Dawahare #April Little

32:48

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is back for its second season! Kay Adams welcomes the women who assemble the squad, Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell, to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of putting together the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Judy and Kelli open up about what it means to embrace flaws in the pursuit of perfection, how they identify that winning combo of stamina and wow factor, and what it’s like to see Thunderstruck go viral. Plus, the duo shares their hopes for the future of DCC beyond the field. Netflix Sports Club Podcast Correspondent Dani Klupenger also stops by to discuss the NBA Finals, basketball’s biggest moments with Michael Jordan and LeBron, and Kevin Durant’s international dominance. Dani and Kay detail the rise of Coco Gauff’s greatness and the most exciting storylines heading into Wimbledon. We want to hear from you! Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/NetflixSportsClub Find more from the Netflix Sports Club Podcast @NetflixSports on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. You can catch Kay Adams @heykayadams and Dani Klupenger @daniklup on IG and X. Be sure to follow Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammel @kellifinglass and @dcc_judy on IG. Hosted by Kay Adams, the Netflix Sports Club Podcast is an all-access deep dive into the Netflix Sports universe! Each episode, Adams will speak with athletes, coaches, and a rotating cycle of familiar sports correspondents to talk about a recently released Netflix Sports series. The podcast will feature hot takes, deep analysis, games, and intimate conversations. Be sure to watch, listen, and subscribe to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Tudum, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes on Fridays every other week.…

2 years ago 1:02:11

M4A•Episode home

You can find Matthias on Instagram and Twitter (no, we’re not calling it the other thing) @matthiasroberts. You can listen to his podcast, Queerology, wherever you listen to podcasts, and can follow @queerologypod on Instagram and Twitter. Preorder/purchase his book here: https://matthiasroberts.com/holyrunaways/

We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop

Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!

88 episodes

Holy Runaways with Matthias Roberts

Reclaiming the Garden

published 2 years ago

M4A•Episode home

We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop

88 episodes

#Religion #April Little and Anna Dawahare #Anna Dawahare #April Little

All episodes

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Let's Talk About Trad Wives 59:34

5 days ago59:34

59:34

In this episode, we talk about the performative phenomenon taking over social media: trad wives. If you search the term on Instagram, you'll find hundreds of women promoting a false fantasy of a 1950s housewife in an attempt to make money from other women who desire this lifestyle. It's a way for fundamentalist Christian/LDS women to make an income in this capitalist hellscape while keeping up the appearance of being a homemaker. We talk about the more well-known trad wives like Hannah Neeleman and Alena Kate Pettitt, as well as the lesser known ones. And we talk about a woman who predicted the trad wife movement in how she made a career out of telling women to stay in the home, Phyllis Schlafly. Resources used in this episode: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/persons-of-interest/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-trad-wifeWe have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Filmmaking and the “Radical Queer Agenda” with Brianna da Silva 59:56

5 weeks ago59:56

59:56

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Rambly Chat: Our Political Hellscape and How We Find Hope in Our Work with Youth 47:52

8 weeks ago47:52

47:52

In this episode, we have a conversation about how we’ve been doing the past few months (sometimes not so great but we’re doing our best), we share our reactions to the absolute bullshit going on in the federal government (do something Dems!!! And fuck the white man billionaires running everything), and we also share stories about our respective work in youth development and therapy as a way to end the episode on a lighter note–the kids are alright, and we as folks in helping professions can support them through this. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
The Easter/Birthday Special with April's Mama Beth Little 1:16:04

12 weeks ago1:16:04

1:16:04

To celebrate four (!) years of the pod and April’s 27th birthday, we had a conversation with April’s Mama Beth Little! Beth shares about her upbringing at a Methodist church in Maryland, and how she ended up choosing to bring her family to “nondenominational” churches (was not the politics or theology, but the more casual atmosphere and contemporary music) in the early 2000s. April and Beth reflect on how their spiritual journeys impacted each other, including the car conversation where Beth became LGBTQ+ affirming before April did. And of course we discuss the political clusterfuck that is the United States right now. You can find Beth (and her husband Ron) on Bluesky @beth-ron1987. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Bible Dyke Deep Dive LIVE AT QCF: Ruth 46:38

20 weeks ago46:38

46:38

In this episode, we get down and dirty and nerdy with the Hebrew Bible text known as Ruth. What seems like a heterosexual love story to evangelicals (between Ruth and Boaz) actually has a lot of queerness in it–two women, Ruth and Naomi, who profess their commitment to one another, and Boaz, who never expresses desire for Ruth or any other woman, only a duty to his family line. We explore the ways in which this narrative embraces non-normative family structures and the complicated aspects of Ruth and Naomi’s relationship as well (was there possible exploitation of Ruth for Naomi’s financial gain?). We also talk about the story’s message of welcoming the foreigner and how Ruth directly contrasts with other biblical texts that prohibit the marriage of foreign women with Israelites. Oh, and of course, April brings up the stupid Panera sermon metaphor. There were no asiago bagels on the threshing floor, young adults pastor! Bibliography: “Un-Straightening Boaz in Ruth Scholarship” by Brett Krutzsch “Even unto this Bitter Loving”: Unhappiness and Backward Feelings in Ruth, by Rhiannon Graybill https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-31-2/commentary-on-ruth-11-18-3 https://www.wilgafney.com/2024/07/21/how-long-o-lord-is-a-womanish-question/ “Traffic Violations” by Fulata Lusigu Moyo We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Good Contamination with Billie Hoard 1:00:27

26 weeks ago1:00:27

1:00:27

In this episode, we have a conversation with writer and Anabaptist radical Billie Hoard! Billie talks about her faith journey growing up evangelical in the 80s, how she learned to ask questions without needing to reach a certain conclusion, and how she realized she was a trans woman. Billie also discusses her experience in the Vineyard Church movement and how the church where “everyone gets to play” kicked her out of leadership due to her stance of affirming LGBTQ+ people (boo!!!). You can find Billie on Instagram and Bluesky @billieiswriting and on her Substack . Want to join us at QCF in Atlanta next week? Use the code BIBLE DYKES to receive 10% off in-person registration: https://www.qcfconf.org/ Registration link for Eucontamination Dinner on Wednesday Jan. 22nd: https://www.qcfconf.org/liturgy-of-eucontamination We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
2024 Year-in-Review with QCF Squad 1:35:02

27 weeks ago1:35:02

1:35:02

In this episode, we have a chat with our friends Andy and Briana about what happened this year in the worlds of religion, faith, and politics . In the midst of the daunting rise of christofascism and other forms of oppression, we find strength in how our communities are stepping up to care for one another. We also share personal important moments that happened in each of our lives this year. Want to join us at QCF Conf from Jan. 23-26th? Use the code BIBLE DYKES to receive 10% off in-person registration: https://www.qcfconf.org/ RNS article: https://religionnews.com/2024/12/27/the-top-10-religion-stories-of-2024-whats-old-is-news-again/ Briana’s published short story: https://www.hauntedwordspress.com/issues We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Let's Talk About the Trinity 52:16

33 weeks ago52:16

52:16

In this episode, we discuss the theological concept of the Trinity–God as Creator of the universe, Jesus of Nazareth, and the Holy Spirit. April gives the historical context for how the early church wrestled to explain their experiences with God within their own cultural context, and how folks argued over words in the creeds–some of it was about conviction, but it was also a power struggle. Ultimately, the early church and all Christians since have been grasping at language to a Mystery that cannot be defined. April and Anna find resonance in the idea that God is love, so of course God would be a community of self-giving and receiving love with Themself–and God invites us to join in that ecstatic dance of Love. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
How the Fuck Did We Get Here Again? 41:55

35 weeks ago41:55

41:55

In this episode, April and Anna pour out our anger and grief over the 2024 election in which the majority of voters chose a fascist rapist to lead the country. We talk about how we’ve been checking in with our queer kin and other loved ones this past week, and how we are balancing our well-founded fears about the future with our hopes that our communities will fight for each other’s safety and well-being. While being realistic about the hard work that lies ahead of us (white people, step up and leverage your privilege!), we also cannot give in to doomerism because it’s like rapture theology that leads people to feel helpless.We are not going to be silent, we’re here and we’re queer and we will not let Christian Nationalists take away our joy and resilience. If you are craving community, consider going to the Q Christian Fellowship Conference in January (not sponsored): https://www.qcfconf.org/ We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Political Scientist Reagan Page on the 2024 Election 1:10:24

38 weeks ago1:10:24

1:10:24

In this episode, we have a conversation with PhD student, progressive Christian, and April’s token straight best friend, Reagan Page! Reagan talks about her upbringing in liberal Christianity, her time in Seattle as a UMC service fellow, and her thoughts on the state of our country and the upcoming presidential election. Just like us, she has a lot of concerns going into November, especially around what political violence may happen no matter what the outcome is, but Reagan is also hopeful about people continuing to connect to their local communities and starting social change from the ground up.Go and vote if you haven’t yet, and keep in mind your marginalized neighbors as you fill out the ballot! We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Stumbling with Brandon Flanery 56:30

40 weeks ago56:30

56:30

In this episode, we have a conversation with author Brandon Flanery! He shares his journey of going from being a YWAM evangelist in Germany yelling on street corners about how he “escaped homosexuality” to accepting his queerness as a blessing and exploring his spirituality. You can find Brandon on Instagram @flanbran. You can find links to purchase his book, Stumbling: A Sassy Memoir about Coming Out of Evangelicalism , on his website . We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
What Does the Death of Jesus Mean? 1:01:18

43 weeks ago1:01:18

1:01:18

In this episode, we go through one of April’s papers she wrote in grad school. We explore perspectives on Jesus’ death and on corresponding atonement theories (or lack thereof) from Black, feminist, and womanist theologians to work towards a non-violent, liberative Christology of the cross. April wrote this for all the people who have been harmed by the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement theory (that on the cross, God's wrath was placed on Jesus in our place as a way to atone for our sins), and its often complementary belief that our suffering in this life is redemptive or caused by God ("just like Jesus’"). We reject this view of a child-abuser god and put forth ways in which we can see the cross as a call to solidarity with the marginalized, as an example of the evil that empire can do, and how God's response to the crucifixion (resurrection, not more violence) is a Divine proclamation that God does not desire for us to suffer, but to flourish. Bibliography: Cone, James. The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2011. Copeland, M. Shawn. Knowing Christ Crucified: The Witness of African-American Religious Experience. New York: Orbis Books, 2018. Douglas, Kelly Brown. Stand Your Ground; Black Bodies and the Justice of God. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2015. Evans, Rachel Held. “We argue over metaphors…” rachelheldevans.com. April 22, 2011. https://rachelheldevans.com/blog/cross-argue-metaphors?rq=metaphor Mennenga, Mason (@masonmennenga). “My only atonement theory is a rejection of atonement theories altogether. Because of my reading of Delores Williams, the *only* theological meaning I can…” Twitter. February 7, 2020, 11:35 AM. https://twitter.com/masonmennenga/status/1225865668354027520 Ruether, Rosemary Radford. “Suffering and Redemption.” In Introducing Redemption in Christian Feminism. Introductions in Feminist Theology. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 1998. Williams, Delores. Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God-Talk . Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2013. Young, Frances. Construing the Cross: Type, Sign, Symbol, Word, Action. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2015. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Queer and Ordained with Mel K 1:03:44

46 weeks ago1:03:44

1:03:44

In this episode, we have a conversation with our wonderful friend the Rev. Mel K! Mel talks about their denominationally promiscuous upbringing, their studies in social work and life as a foster parent, and her recent ordination in the Progressive Christian Alliance. We also talk about the importance of comprehensive sex ed, and Anna and Mel talk about some of their experiences as social workers, and their doggos. And of course we talk some shit about evangelicalism! You can find Mel on Instagram @holyqueerit. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Let's Talk About Cults 1:19:19

48 weeks ago1:19:19

1:19:19

A note on content for this ep: CSA and other abuse There are many cults or high-control groups that are rooted in Christianity or are Christian-adjacent (and some groups toe the line of being one…*coughHillsongcough*). In this episode, we give an overview of just a handful of them: Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the FLDS, Twin Flames Universe, and self-help scammers like Jodi Hildebrandt. We explore the ways these groups harm the people in them and the people who leave them with medical neglect, shunning, abuse, and manipulation. To learn more about these cults and other high control groups, check out the resources below! Resources mentioned in this episode: Knowing Better Owen Morgan (Telltale) ExJW Panda Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey on Netflix Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer Escaping Twin Flames on Netflix BITE Model Cults to Consciousness Jordan and McKay, ex-Mormons We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
1946 Documentary Discussion 53:07

52 weeks ago53:07

53:07

In this episode, we share our thoughts on the 1946 documentary, which tells the story of how the word “homosexuality” did not appear in an English Bible until the 1946 Revised Standard Version. With the help of researchers Kathy Baldock (incredible ally!!!) and Ed Oxford, director Rocky Roggio shows how the translation team took two words in Greek and mistakenly translated them to “homosexuality,” and this choice greatly impacted future Bibles and theologies. We talk about how we appreciated Rev. David Fearon’s courageous journey of questioning the translation committee's decision and writing to them about it, and coming out later in life when Kathy befriended him (it is never too late!). We are so grateful for the work that everyone in this project put into it, and we think that its storytelling and reliable data has the power to change lives and families for the better. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Personal Updates and Fundie Snarking 39:41

1 year ago39:41

39:41

We are back y’all! And now our podcast has TWO Master’s degrees behind it, bringing theology and social work knowledge to you to help you on your journey of deconstructing faith and living into who God made you to be. In this episode April shares about getting her Master of Arts in Theology and Culture: Community Development, Anna talks about her new doggo, and we chat a bit about some of the major stories that have circulated in the exvangelical/fundie snark spaces: Harrison Butker’s commencement speech, and Bethany and Dav Beal's now-interfaith marriage. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Process(ing) Theology with Mason Mennenga 1:10:02

1 year ago1:10:02

1:10:02

In this episode, we have a conversation with theologian, podcaster, YouTuber, and King of #Exvangelical Twitter, Mason Mennenga!! Mason shares about listening to VeggieTales CDs and other typical evangelical kid/teen experiences (conferences, youth group, all the ccm!) he had as the Good Christian Boy. In college, he started researching what the Bible actually said about sexual ethics and orientation, how we are even supposed to approach reading the Bible (seriously does not equal literally), as well as looking into other doubts/questions he had. He discovered the Progressive Christian Cinematic Universe and Process Theology and went down the lovely slippery slope. Mason gives the best definition of process theology April has ever heard (there’s much more to it but these are the two key points): the future is open to all kinds of possibilities, and everything is in relationship with each other. Mason hopes in his podcasts and other content to be what Rachel Held Evans was to him and so many people: a person who gives us space to question and explore, who vulnerably shares stories in the hopes that it lets other people know they are not alone. You can find Mason on Instagram and Twitter @masonmennenga. You can find links to all the wonderful things he does here . We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Trans Identity, Community, and Being in Solidarity with Dr. Miche van Essen 1:23:06

1 year ago1:23:06

1:23:06

In this episode (despite some technical difficulties on April’s end) we have a conversation with the Co-Executive Director of Operations for Transmission Ministry Collective, Dr. Miche van Essen! Miche shares about her faith journey of growing up Jewish and how she ended up meeting Jesus and became a pastor in an evangelical church. As she was coming into her identity as a transgender woman, she found the support groups at Transmission Ministry Collective and got very involved and is now stewarding the work of creating space for trans and gender expansive Christians (we love to see it!), and she talks about her experience in the organization. We also wrestle with what it means to be living on stolen Native land and how to be aware of the “invisible layers” of oppression that we all participate in. Anna also talks about some important Armenian history, we discuss the history of protests against war and the current University protests in support of Palestine, and April and Anna reflect on the incredibly racist and cringey “activity” in kindergarten where we dressed up as Native Americans (yikes!!!). You can find Miche on Instagram @michevanessen. Find out more of TMC here: https://transmissionministry.com/ We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Joy is a Spiritual Discipline with Myles Markham 51:31

1 year ago51:31

51:31

In this episode, we have a conversation with Myles Markham, a queer and transgender advocate who currently works for Trans Lifeline and serves on the board of directors for Transmission Ministry Collective! Myles shares his journey of growing up in the deep South and how he has expanded his faith over time. We get into some nerdy theological conversations as well. You can find Myles on Instagram @a_million_myles, and you can learn more about the work they do on their website: https://www.mylesmarkham.com/ We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
We Have So Much in Common with Ashley Wool 1:22:58

1 year ago1:22:58

1:22:58

In this episode, we have a conversation with one of the principal actresses in the Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio , Ashley Wool! She also happens to be an autistic progressive Christian and a theology nerd, so of course us neurodivergent theater nerds had to invite her to the pod. Ashley shares about becoming a Christian as a young adult and resonating with Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels, how we should lead with love and shouldn’t dehumanize the people we disagree with. She talks about her journey of being in HTDiO and we discuss the ways the show is revolutionary for accessibility and autistic representation in the musical theater industry despite its short run (we need more federal funding for the arts, damn this late stage capitalist hellscape!). Ashley also talks about meeting Lin-Manuel MIranda! You can find Ashley on social media @ashley_wool. She encourages people to support their local theater productions! We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

1
Leaving the Evangelical Basement with Tim Whitaker (The New Evangelicals) 58:25

1 year ago58:25

58:25

Note: the dolphin noises that come up in a section of this episode are to take out some identifying information about April’s old church that she doesn’t want made public In this episode, we have a conversation with Tim Whitaker, founder of the non-profit The New Evangelicals, an inclusive, Jesus-centered community that holds space for those marginalized by the evangelical church. Tim talks about his upbringing in conservative churches and his way of living “counter-culturally” within it (listening to hardcore punk Christian bands and wearing “abortion is homicide” t-shirts) and how his faith started to shift over time, realizing so many church practices have actually been stolen from “pagan” religions, being appalled by the evangelical support of Trump in the 2016 election-onward, and finally getting kicked out of his church when he started TNE. We talk about how witchy Christianity can be sometimes (how is “open your Bible to a random page, that’s God’s message for you” that much different from Tarot?). Tim discusses how he tries to use his privilege as a “theobro-passing” white guy to go into Christian Nationalist spaces to understand why people are being radicalized and what harmful narratives and conspiracy theories are being pushed there–and to fight back against that misinformation with reliable data. Tim also shares his journey of becoming LGBTQ+ affirming. We are so excited about the work that TNE is doing! You can find Tim/TNE on Instagram and other platforms @thenewevangelicals (you should check out the Facebook group!). You can donate to them here (and see a complete financial statement here ). We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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Finding Your True Self with Kit Sargent 1:12:44

1 year ago1:12:44

1:12:44

In this episode, we have a conversation with LGBTQ+ Mindset Coach and host of the Queer Consciousness Podcast, Kit Sargent! They reflect on their experience of this year’s QCF Conference and talk about their “fundie lite” upbringing (they had a True Love Waits Ring!). We discuss the sexualization of prepubescent girls’ bodies and all the things that are wrong with that.They talk about their experience of realizing their queer identity (crushing on best friends and totally being oblivious to that), and questioning and examining their beliefs in order to find their true self during the pandemic, and how The Lavender Mafia podcast helped them come out (shout out to Jess Grace Garcia and Jonathan Quinn!). We talk about how the Bible is living and active which means by its nature the way we interact with it changes over time, and how Jesus is the Word of God, not the Bible. We also talk about reclaiming our divinity–we are spiritual beings having an integrated mind-body-spirit human experience. Kit shares about the work they do as a mindset coach to help LGBTQ+ people figure out who they really are. You can find Kit on Instagram @sargent.says and their podcast here . We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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Poetry, Somatics, and God as Mother with Starchild 1:06:26

1 year ago1:06:26

1:06:26

Note: there is discussion of child abuse in this episode In this episode, we have a conversation with our friend Starchild, a queer autistic somatic psychotherapist, poet, musician, mystic, and ex-pastor. Starchild talks about their Southern Baptist upbringing, their journey from autistic Wonder Church Boy to renegade mystic to inclusive orthodox Methodist to the joyful queer ecstatic dance enthusiast they are now. Starchild shares some of their wonderful poetry and talks about their experiences of knowing God’s grace and love deep in their body, and connecting with God as Mother and the earth as God’s body. You can find Starchild on Instagram @starchilddruid. You can listen to their album Dolly for President here: https://open.spotify.com/album/6cO7ZNbMxKss3AziN6qArd?si=rgtiga62SVWiEQEx5XA9FQ . You can also find them on Facebook with their other name, Morgan Guyton. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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2023 Year-In-Review with QCF Squad (Briana and Artie) 1:48:24

2 years ago1:48:24

1:48:24

In this episode, we reflect upon what’s happened in the faith/religion/spirituality and deconstruction world in 2023 with our dear friends Briana and Artie (who, along with us, make up the QCF Squad group chat). We talk about the Asbury Revival, the Pope’s recent “LGBTQ Blessing” statement, the Ruby Franke case, and the queer Christian music wins (Semler and Flamy Grant making history, hell yeah!). We also discuss the Shiny Happy People Documentary (as well as the two books by Duggar daughters released this year) and the increasing awareness about religious trauma in our culture (more therapists specializing in this is a good thing!). April gives her annual UMC update– lots more congregations are leaving the denomination, but hopefully in 2024 full LGBTQ+ inclusion may be possible. We also discuss the conflict in Israel-Palestine and the way social media has played a role in spreading awareness. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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The War on Christmas and Other Bonkers Conspiracy Theories 1:15:03

2 years ago1:15:03

1:15:03

In this episode, we talk about three conspiracy theories that are unfortunately very popular in many Christian communities: The “War on Christmas,” Zionism, and QAnon. While poking fun at the ridiculous nature of these beliefs that are not rooted in reality (Taylor Swift being named TIME person of the year is part of a 2024 election scheme, apparently!), we also discuss the real threat these fear-mongering ideologies pose to democracy and liberation, and how we should approach loved ones who fall prey to these conspiracies. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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The Gift of You with Jennifer Knapp 1:12:38

2 years ago1:12:38

1:12:38

In this episode, we have a conversation with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker and LGBTQ+ advocate Jennifer Knapp! Jennifer shares her faith journey, her career in the contemporary Christian music industry, and the burnout that led to her leaving it. She also talks about her coming out journey and the ways she has advocated for LGBTQ+ people in the church. We have some nerdy theological conversations as well about the wonderful act of bringing our full selves, “the gift of you,” to God. You can find Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferknappmusic, and you can support her work on Patreon . We’re excited for her to re-record her first albums, among other projects! We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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Food, Body Image, and Communion 1:34:04

2 years ago1:34:04

1:34:04

A note about this episode's content: we discuss disordered eating and body image issues, if you're not in a good place to listen, take care of yourself! During a month where many of us host feasts (that are rooted in a history of colonization), we’re talking about theologies of food, and food ethics. Anna and April share stories of struggling with body image and unhealthy policing of our food choices in our teenage and early young adult years, and how those feelings likely arose from purity culture. We talk about how our experiences of eating communally, moments of hospitality and communion, helped to heal some of these conflicts, along with our changes in theology about our bodies. How we talk about bodies and pleasure impacts not just sexual desire but how we view food as well. Without making judgments about anyone’s food choices (yay for bodily autonomy and not shaming people!), we discuss the ways we can make sustainable, ethical choices about food with the options we have available to us, and how we can be aware of the food injustices/insecurities that exist in our communities and do what we can to help our neighbors. We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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Church-Adjacent with Fundie Fridays 1:36:04

2 years ago1:36:04

1:36:04

In this episode, we have a conversation with YouTubers (and damn good researchers on fundamentalist Christianity) the Reverend Jen and King James of Fundie Fridays! Jen and James share how they grew up non-religious but adjacent (literally and figuratively) to religion in their conservative hometowns in Missouri. Anna and April share our own stories that resonate with some of their experiences. There are also just a looooot of rabbit holes that we go down, and of course we talk some shit about fundies (fuck Michael Tait!). Link to Fundie Fridays: https://www.youtube.com/@FundieFridays/videos We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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Disability and Neurodivergence in the Church and Society 1:02:07

2 years ago1:02:07

1:02:07

In this episode, April and Anna discuss our experiences of how disability and neurodivergence were viewed in the churches we grew up in and how those views changed as we came to realize our own neurodivergence and grapple with ableist theologies. April was planning on discussing more of her realization that she is autistic but her frazzled brain just didn’t; she does have a post about it on her Substack, linked below. We discuss Jesus’ healings of sick and disabled people and how to read those in an anti-ableist lens; Jesus was restoring them to community in the only way that was possible in their context, allowing them to be ritually clean and free to go to the Temple. Today, we can follow in Jesus’ path by advocating for accessibility and affordable healthcare for all; it is our systems that are broken, not people’s bodies or minds. Autistic Pro-Choice YouTuber discusses the ethical nuances of Down Syndrome testing and abortion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJGg85tQZRo April’s Substack Post about realizing she is autistic: https://aprilthewriter.substack.com/p/learning-to-love-how-my-mind-and We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here : https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!…

Reclaiming the Garden

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Holy Runaways with Matthias Roberts 1:02:11

2 years ago1:02:11